Yeah, we know, it's April. It's way too early to start talking World Series favorites, MVP hopefuls, etc. Yet, when the Chicago Cubs beat up on the Cincinnati Reds in a 9-0 shutout Sunday, we saw a glimpse of just how good this young team can be.
Cubs star first baseman Anthony Rizzo could be in the MVP discussion at the end of the year — if Bryce Harper doesn't run away with it by June — and Rizzo backed up his claim Sunday by smashing two two-run home runs. Outfield acquisition Jason Heyward also put on a show. He went 3 for 5 with a run scored, three RBI and a stolen base.
MORE: Giancarlo Stanton blasts BP home run out of AT&T
But everyone knows the postseason is all about pitching. Do the Cubs have what it takes in that department? So far, it looks like they do. We were already aware of what Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester could do, but Jason Hammel is off to an incredible start as well.
Hammel tossed six scoreless innings Sunday while giving up just three hits and striking out seven. He improved to 3-0 on the season with a 0.75 ERA.
Player of the Day:
Nationals outfielder Chris Heisey did everyone a favor when he mercifully ended a 16-inning marathon against the Twins. After Harper hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game into extras at 4-4, both the Nationals and Twins struggled for runs. But after both teams scored in the 15th inning, Heisey ended things with a solo home run to lead things off in the bottom of the 16th inning. Washington's 6-5 win ultimately tied a franchise record for longest game played.
Highlight:
Rays third baseman Evan Longoria laid out in the hot corner to make an incredible play:
Stay away from @Evan3Longoria’s corner. https://t.co/KdSnvetfw3 pic.twitter.com/7dOhLBJxcf
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) April 24, 2016
Three things to know:
— Albert Pujols' first-inning home run off of Wade Miley snapped an 0-for-26 streak, the longest hitless streak of his career. It was also his 563rd career HR, which tied Reggie Jackson for 13th all-time.
— The Chicago Cubs (14-5) are the only team in MLB not to lose consecutive games so far this season. They also have failed to win more than two games in a row since April.
— Bryce Harper, who hit a pinch-hit, game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins, became the only player with a game-tying or go-ahead home run in the ninth inning or later in each of the last five seasons.
What's Next:
White Sox (13-6) at Blue Jays (10-10) 7:07 p.m. — The AL's top team has been finding ways to win despite limited production from some of its stars. Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman (3-0, 4.13 ERA) will look to rebound after a few shaky starts.
Orioles (11-6) at Rays (8-10) 7:10 p.m. — Kevin Gausman, one of Baltimore's best young pitchers, makes his season debut against Chris Archer (0-4, 7.32 ERA). Archer entered the season as a Cy Young candidate, but has already lost that race by blowing up in his first four starts with diminished arm strength. He needs to turn things around in a hurry.